Pages

Friday, November 6, 2009

Call for Entries: Most Awesomely Bad Pattern EVER

Let's take a moment to thank ZipZapKap, who brought to our attention her 70's McCall's pattern for apron chaps, which have to be the most sublimely horrible thing I've ever seen. Seriously, I'm (practically) speechless. It got me in the mood for a little contest here at my Blog for Better Sewing. So, I'm sending out a call for entries: can you top these apron chaps?Please send your entry for MOST AWESOMELY BAD PATTERN EVER to me at gertie [at] blogforbettersewing [dot] com. Or post a link to your entry in the comments here! It's up to you to decide what makes a pattern awesomely bad: the design in general, the pattern art, etc. Patterns from all decades (including now) are up for entry.

The exact details of the prize are TBD, but I'm thinking it will be the pattern of your choice ($20 or less) on Etsy.

You have until the end of the day of Friday, 11/13. I'll then choose my top three and post a poll to let you choose the winner!

48 comments:

It's not a pattern, but it's awesomely bad so I thought you'd enjoy the shudder. I present: the CuddleRoo! Like the Snuggie but with nauseating cat embroidery and, wait for it...a pouch to put your cat in!

Oh dear goodness. I have no bad patterns, but...I hope to god that one takes the cake. I'm quite scared to see if worse exists! Is it really bad though...that I'd be tempted to make those JUST for the hilarity factor....?

Ummm ……… okay ……… Apron Chaps. I can certainly see a need for apron chaps. I'm squatting at the campfire, cooking beans. My knees are apart because it easier to balance that way. If I were wearing a regular apron, one of my legs would be sticking out of the apron and I would spill beans on that leg.

No. I'm sorry. I was wrong. I don't see a need for apron chaps. (I do love the lace, though!) I can't wait to see what other entries turn up.

I swear I saw someone make that pattern once through a link from Tie One On but I can't find it now. They were quite cute in modern fabric without the trim. It's the 70's-ishness of the design that is hilarious.

Does anyone else think that the orange shirt girl has her hand on the bum of her BBQ sweetie?

hahaha, what a great idea.I found this pattern for sale on etsy once and was disturbed by the barbie 80s glam wedding dress: http://lh5.ggpht.com/_NI9D6wFyXQw/SpGSVBA3xiI/AAAAAAAAAzE/7dcDPI13a0k/MC+CALLS+CRAFT+3880.jpgAlso, I'm having a november giveaway on my blog that I think you might like, Gertie!! (a painted portrait of the winner :)

Catherine, I had that etsy sun hat marked as a favorite -- I seriously wanted to make it, but little things (my wedding, my job) got in the way. It's so awesome it's fabulous!

I can't get the apron chaps out of my head. Why don't they go all the way to the tops of the models' shoes? For that matter, what about the sides of the thighs? Really, if you're going to follow the shaky logic that gets you to apron chaps, shouldn't you just go all the way to apron pants?!

Devastatingly, I would have had a solid two dozen entries for this--many, many classic patterns from the late 80s/early 90s neo-Victorian era spring to mind--but our house flooded six weeks ago and over 1000 of my patterns got eaten by the waters (that IS three zeroes, by the way--it was painful). Maybe I can dig a fantastic one out of those that survived...

OMG this was so funny, I am crying at the apron chaps and cuddle-roo ("with a pocket to store your cat, remote, snacks and more" - $60 for the pattern too!). I am sort of tempted to make some for Christmas gifts!!

In defense of apron chaps, they do come in handy for wheel-thrown pottery when your legs are wrapped around a pottery wheel and mud is splattering everywhere. The studio where I take lessons sells them, although they're not quite as guh-roovy as these.

@emadethis: I LOVE this style! I actually saw some similar stuffs at a Russian popular costume exhibition and seriously considered making some for myself (to wear them with boots and very long braids). And I find this reversible sunhat weirdly graceful too...I might be an awsomely bad pattern addict, after all. Maybe it'll get worse and I'll buy the apron chaps?

I'm thinking that vogue lady's hat has to be perfect for a night on the town. Made correctly, you would be starting out with a lampshade on your head. Unfortunately, all hats make me look like Cousin Itt.And seriously, I really like that Black Forest Smock, except for the part where (unlike the illustration) every time you bent over, all that material would bag out in front of you, causing drafts, at least. I know! little tabs inside to button or tie or velcro onto your undergarments! Or maybe smocking.

I, um, am addicted to vintage patterns. Especially kids' patterns because I love sewing for my niece and nephew. I tend to buy them in large lots on ebay... as a result, I believe I can help you. *very evil grin* How about a jumpsuit that looks like a blob with arms and legs? I should look through my latest acquisitions, too. Friend of mine gave me six garbage bags full of patterns and IIRC there are some pretty awful ones in there.

Might take me a bit to dig them out. I just got access back to my sewing closet yesterday, because of the flooding in my area--my brother's bed was leaning up against the door until we got the new carpet put back in downstairs...

how about this one? Feathers on a formal dress for your dog. I mean...really? http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34091811&ref=sr_gallery_6&&ga_search_query=dress&ga_search_type=category&category=patterns.sewing&ga_page=3&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

At first I thought I didn't know of any awesomely bad patterns to top these, but then I looked through my mom's collection of old German pattern magazines Pramo (aka Praktische Mode) and found these costume patterns:http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2094/pramo11990ruber.jpgIt's from the January issue of 1990 and it's supposed to be a pair of bandits. I can hardly imagine anything awesomely worse than a pattern for rags.